EFFECT OF FERTILITY LEVELS ON YIELD, PROTEIN-CONTENT AND ECONOMICS OF PEARL-MILLET (PENNISETUM-GLAUCUM) PLUS CASTOR (RICINUS-COMMUNIS) OR COWPEA (VIGNA-UNGUICULATA) INTERCROPPING UNDER RAIN-FED CONDITION

A field experiment was carried out during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 1989 and 1990 to study the effects of 2 cultivars of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend. Stuntz] and 2 in viz. castor (Ricinus communis L.) and cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp]. at various fertility levels under 2 planting systems in terms of yield, protein content and economics. Among the main effects, hybrid 'MBH 151' of pearl millet, castor as intercrop, paired-row planting system and fertility levels of 25 kg N + 12.5 kg P2O5/ha + Azospirillum were found superior in term of grain yield of pearl millet to other main effects. Increasing fertility levels significantly improved the protein content and protein yield over the control. Data on economics of various fertility levels revealed that maximum net returns could be achieved by inoculating Azospirillum in addition to fertilizers at 25 kg N + 12.5 kg P2O5/ha in pearl millet + castor intercropping under rainfed condition.